Baker, Fisher head debate doubleheader in Lowell on August 21

LOWELL -- Republican gubernatorial candidates Charlie Baker and Mark Fisher have agreed to meet in the Mill City for their first scheduled public debate on Thursday, Aug. 21.

The Baker-Fisher forum is part of a debate doubleheader co-sponsored by The Sun and Middlesex Community College on Aug. 21. It will begin at 3 p.m. at MCC's Federal Building on East Merrimack Street following a 1 p.m. debate featuring the two independents running for governor, Evan Falchuk and Jeff McCormick.

Each debate with run approximately one hour.

"We are to excited to get these candidates to come to Lowell and discuss local, regional and statewide issues," said Sun Editor Jim Campanini. 'We are hoping for frank and vibrant discussions and ideas to help voters make informed choices this election season."

According to several published polls, Baker, who lost the 2010 election to Gov. Deval Patrick, is the leading GOP candidate to win the Sept. 9 primary against the little known Fisher, a Tea Party member.

Fisher, however, has gained support among the GOP's more conservative members, and successfully challenged the Massachusetts Republican Party in court to get his name on the primary ballot. Fisher argued that the 14.765 percent of the votes he received at the GOP Convention, where he needed 15 percent to get on the ballot, were diluted because blank votes were counted in the total.

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"I'm happy to participate in this debate, which is the first official time for us to speak about our candidacies," said Fisher, a metals manufacturing business owner who lives in Shrewsbury.

Baker, a businessman and former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, lives in Swampscott and is actively campaigning throughout the state.

"I am excited to discuss my plans to make Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley great again by creating jobs, improving our schools and creating safer, stronger communities," said Baker. "Far too many communities have been left behind by the last eight years of one-party rule and I look forward to this debate so that voters can learn more about my positive campaign to lead Massachusetts in a new direction."

Falchuk, who represents the United Independent Party, and McCormick, listed as an independent, are already on the November general election ballot as separate gubernatorial candidates and do not have a primary. Both independents, however, are raising money and gaining voter attention for their "outside Beacon Hill" perspectives.

Falchuk is a former vice president of Best Doctors, a global health company located in Boston that provides medical diagnoses and treatment to patients. McCormick founded Saturn Partners in 1993 and helps finance and build innovative companies in healthcare, education, biotechnology and the environment.

"This is a great opportunity to share ideas and independent thinking with people from the Lowell area," said Falchuk. "This election is about new leadership for the commonwealth and solutions that work for all the people and not just a few."

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